Restaurants & Fast Food

Dave's Hot Chicken

Roark Capital (which already controls Subway, Dunkin', Arby's, Sonic, and more) acquired a 75% majority stake in Dave's Hot Chicken for ~$1 billion in June 2025. The chain had 245+ locations and $617M in 2024 sales. Roark's restaurant empire is now the largest franchise operation outside publicly traded companies.

FOUNDED
2017
ACQUIRED
Roark Capital, 2025, $1 billion

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Timeline

2017

Dave's Hot Chicken founded

2025

Acquired by Roark Capital for $1 billion

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